How Carson, California Rapper REASON Got Out of TDE, and What His New Single 'I Got Problems' Says Now

REASON, the rapper born and raised in Carson, California, is back with a new single, and it is not a victory lap. "I Got Problems," released Oct. 23, 2026, finds the former Top Dawg Entertainment signee looking hard at where he came from and how tough it is to get out.

It is a fitting subject for an artist who once maneuvered his way out of a label deal, too.

What "I Got Problems" is about

HotNewHipHop described the standalone single as one that "speaks on hardships and making it out of a bad situation," calling it a story about being stuck in a negative environment and trying to rise above it. The outlet also noted its steady flow and catchy hook.

Ratings Game Music went deeper in its Oct. 27 review, pointing to lyrics about gang ties, a rough upbringing, and problems that don't disappear just because people tell you to stay positive. The reviewer described the production as cold and eerie, gave the track 4 out of 5, and called it an "introspective banger."

From Carson to Top Dawg

Born Robert Lee Gill Jr. on Sept. 21, 1990, REASON built his name with self-released mixtapes, including The Free Album and The Proof in 2016. TDE announced his signing on Aug. 8, 2018, the same year he appeared on Black Panther: The Album with "Seasons," alongside Mozzy and Sjava.

He was also invited to Dreamville's Revenge of the Dreamers III sessions in 2019, and he landed on the compilation's 2020 Director's Cut on "Revenge." On TDE, he released the albums New Beginnings (2020) and Porches (2023), both with Caroline.

The exit, and what came next

The split was messy. Okayplayer reported that REASON announced his departure in June 2024 after six years with the label, and that he later told Bootleg Kev he had praised Drake during the Kendrick Lamar feud partly to push TDE into letting him go. He said he set out to stir up enough controversy that the label would cut ties, and that it worked fast: "A month later, I was gone," he said, per Okayplayer. He acknowledged some fans dislike him for those posts.

His first album after TDE, I Love You Again, arrived Feb. 28, 2025, via Do More Records and 195 Oak. "I Got Problems" is his latest look at the life that shaped him, written from the same Carson roots.

Where to listen and follow

"I Got Problems" is out now. Follow REASON on Instagram at @reasonofficial, which had about 169K followers as of late October 2026.

Sources

HotNewHipHop — "I Got Problems - Song by REASON"
Ratings Game Music — "REASON Confronts His Past on 'I Got Problems'"
Okayplayer — "Reason Praised Drake During Kendrick Lamar Beef to Get Out of TDE Deal"
Wikipedia — "Reason (American rapper)"